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Willis Social Worker with Group

The Process of Rebuilding. How school social workers are part of the solution. (Part Two)

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. In response to the increased need for student social-emotional support, CMCSS hired nine district social workers in 2022. This small team has made great strides and continues to focus on building connections as a way to combat the struggles students experience. “Sometimes there can be trauma behind all of that anger that we don’t know about,” said Tomecia Slade, a Lead District Social Worker for the district. “There can be some deep-rooted issues going on.” In 2021-2022, CMCSS saw a rise in negative student behavior. After reviewing the data, CMCSS found that a small percentage of students were contributing to recurring negative behavior patterns. It was not widespread, but it had a systemic effect on the schools. What was contributing to this spike in behavior? There is not a single cause. After meeting with students, social workers often find some type of dysfunction, including fighting in the family, sickness, loss of employment, rise in social media use, financial strain, or similar circumstances play a role. “We have students that will seek attention,” said Slade. “That’s going to cause them to act out or run out of the classroom. Those negative things sometimes are going to show up as a way of getting what they want or need. If there is a void somewhere, it is going to show up.” The district social workers are a new resource to CMCSS, and schools are growing accustomed to their presence. The team typically receives referrals through school counselors, teachers, or school-level staff. They work closely with the Families in Transition (FIT) Team and the Student Success Coaches. Alicia Willis, one of the district social workers […]


CMCSS hired nine District Social Workers in 2022. Have they made an impact? (Part One)

In 2022, CMCSS added nine district social workers to its roster…


CMCSS 2023-2024 Kindergarten Kick-off Set for April 4

Elementary Schools will host an event for incoming kindergarten families on Tuesday, April 4.


CMCSS Administrative Announcements in February 2023

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. CMCSS has three administrative announcements. Director of Certified Employment Patti Koloski has been selected as the Director of Certified Employment, replacing Melissa Izatt who has been selected as the Chief Human Resources Officer effective April 1. The title was previously named the Director of Educator Quality. With an ongoing effort to streamline and improve services and support from the District, the position has been renamed and Dr. Erica Christmas’ title has changed to Director of Classified Employment. Koloski has served as the Employee Relations Specialist since February 2022. Previously, she served for 7 years as principal and 5 years as assistant principal at Glenellen Elementary School. She has 31 years of experience in education as a teacher, academic coach, and administrator, working in public, private, and military school communities. Under her leadership, Glenellen was named a Reward School four times for performing in the top 5% of schools in the state. She earned her M.A. in Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University and B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She received her Administrative Endorsement from Trevecca Nazarene University. Northwest High School Assistant Principal Michael Johnson has been selected as an assistant principal at Northwest High School, beginning the 2023-2024 school year. He currently serves as the Student Support Coordinator and Assistant Athletic Director at Northwest High, in addition to other school-based leadership roles. Johnson began his career with CMCSS in 2014 and has served as a music educator at Pisgah Elementary and Northwest High schools. Additionally, he has over 15 years of experience as a teacher, music minister, and accompanist for local churches and at Austin Peay […]


March 2023 Updates and Reminders

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Hello, CMCSS families! Please see below for a few updates and reminders. Calendar Reminders Wednesday, March 1 – FAFSA Application Deadline for TNPromise Eligibility (Seniors) March 6-10 – Spring Break | No School Sunday, March 12 – Daylight Saving Time Begins Tuesday, April 4 (5-7 p.m.) – Kindergarten Kick-Off for 2023-2024 School Year Friday, April 7 – Holiday | No School Monday, April 17 – State Standardized Assessments Begin Wednesday, May 24 – Last Half Day of School Assessments/Testing – TCAP Individual schools will be communicating more information to families about state standardized assessments (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program or TCAP) in the coming weeks. The tests will be administered to all students in grades 3-8 and high school students enrolled in a course with an End-of-Course (EOC) exam, beginning the week of April 17. Please click here for an overview of state testing. If you have questions about accommodations or special education assessments, please contact your child’s school. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, state and federal law requires student participation in state assessments. School districts are not authorized to adopt policies allowing families to opt students out from testing. Additionally, state standardized assessments are calculated as a percentage of a student’s final grade. Click here for more information on the grading system. Educators provide instruction throughout the year on state standards that are assessed during TCAP. CMCSS understands that many students experience anxiety during testing, and many adults might even remember how they felt when taking standardized tests at school. Please see below for two significant ways you can help your child: Show what you know! Encourage your child to […]


February 2023 Point of Pride

The following students were presented with a Point of Pride by the CMCSS School Board.


Closely Monitoring the Weather February 15-16, 2023

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. The CMCSS Operations Department is closely monitoring the weather forecast for this evening and tomorrow. At this time, Montgomery County is not under any weather advisories or severe thunderstorm/tornado watches. According to the National Weather Service, our community has a slight risk tonight and an enhanced risk tomorrow for severe weather, but they are not indicating a moderate or high risk. There is no recommendation at this time to cancel, delay, or dismiss early based on the forecast. If the conditions and recommendations change, the Communications Department will immediately communicate this information to families. As always, please have a plan in place just in case. Please know all CMCSS schools have severe weather plans, designated safe areas, and required drills throughout the school year. Additionally, the CMCSS Transportation Department has protocols for severe weather, including rerouting buses to the nearest school in the event of a tornado warning during a route. In 2019, CMCSS was named a StormReady district by the National Weather Service. To receive this distinction, CMCSS: Established a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center Established more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public Created a system that monitors weather conditions locally Developed a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises


Melissa Izatt Selected as Chief Human Resources Officer

Izatt will be replacing Jeanine Johnson, who will be retiring at the end of the school year after 23 years of service in CMCSS.


Clarksville High School Selected for the National Blue Collar Tour

Western Welding Academy introduces students to a career in the trades.


February 2023 Updates and Reminders

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year. Good afternoon, CMCSS families! Happy Friday! We thank all our families and employees for their flexibility and patience this week with the winter weather closures and delay. Please see below for a few updates and reminders. Calendar Reminders Wednesday, February 8 – Staff Development | Students Do Not Report Monday, February 20 – Presidents Day | No School Wednesday, March 1 – FAFSA Application Deadline for TNPromise Eligibility (Seniors) March 6-10 – Spring Break | No School Sunday, March 12 – Daylight Saving Time Begins Community Learning Series Families can help their incoming high school students prepare for their future through the Community Learning Series. These short, interactive lessons give parents and guardians the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to understand high school opportunities and graduation requirements. Each course takes approximately five minutes to complete and can be done at your convenience. The Community Learning Series can be found here:https://www.cmcss.net/instruction/cte/ Math Textbook Adoption CMCSS is currently conducting a math textbook adoption process. We invite all parents and guardians to review and provide feedback on the state-approved textbook choices by each level (elementary, middle, high school) to help inform the review committee’s recommendations for Board approval. CMCSS will conduct two math textbook preview nights: Tuesday, February 21 and Wednesday, February 22 from 3-7 p.m. at Central Service South (1312 Highway 48/13, Clarksville, TN 37040). These are open sessions, and families can attend at any time within the window. Additionally, CMCSS will soon be providing a webpage with electronic materials from publishers and a link to provide feedback. Please check www.cmcss.net and social media for updates on the opportunity to provide feedback electronically. […]